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Hello, as with every season I like to round up some things I’m excited to use. Today I am sharing a few festive items.

Body cream- I have heard literally every other beauty blogger recommend this cream. I was sick of hearing about how great it was and how delicious it smells. I finally bought the bullet and got a travel size tub. I love it! This cream truly delivers moisture which is essential for when it is cooler and dryer. And yes, it does smell really good!

Body mist- A Thousand Wishes is a popular recurring holiday fragrance from BBW. It smells like sparkles and champagne and a shimmery gold lame dress!

Candle I couldn’t talk about my favourite things without including a candle. This is a repeat purchase: Marshmallow Fireside from White Barn/BBW. This one has a woodsy yet sweet smell.

Body wash- Snow Angel by Philosophy, one of my favourite bath and body companies has a crisp slighlty warm sugary smell. I got this in a mini size because I only plan on using it during the festive season. Philosophy products always have a strong yet not overpowering scent and they give a good lather leaving your skin clean and moisturiser.

Eyeshadow palette- This palette, Prism by Anastasia Beverley Hills is their holiday edition. I love the glittery jewel and metallic tones but I am also super intrigued by the bright matter. ABH ‘s formula is generally very pigmented and smooth and this palette is no different. I think it’s awesome for the holiday season but definitely great year round.

Tea- Over the past year I have become very fond of tea. My preference is a fruit or even floral tea but this Chai spice tea is flavourful, spicy and very festive. It’s great warm with some milk but I actually like my tea (and coffe) cold and sans milk.
Those are a few of my favourite festive things. Thanks for reading and have an awesome day!

Hello
Do you say kaa-rahh-mell or kar-muhl ? Either way, this sugary dessert item has recently regained popularity in combination with salt. I love sweet and salty, in fact I often crave it. I find it calms 2 beasts in one shot, it achieves true satisfaction. Yummm…

Righto. My sister loves popcorn quite a bit. She especially loves adding flavours to it; white cheddar, sour cream, chocolate and so on. A couple of years ago, I received a photo from her via whatsapp. It was a plastic crate not unlike those cupcakes and muffins are sold in, but this one housed popcorn balls. They were massive, covered in drizzled chocolate both dark and white and topped with the tiniest chocolate wafers (think super mini candy melts). They looked delicious. And they were expensive. I mean like unreasonably so. Needless to say she never bought them. Since then I kept telling myself I should have a go at making popcorn balls. And that day finally came.

Like so many things I make , I initially wing it. I don’t look up recipes BEFORE I attempt something, that’s not hardcore. So this is my way of making popcorn balls and I am well aware that there may be far more effective ways but this one was fairly simple and very affordable so keep on reading.

In this recipe I use marshmallow as the binding ingredient similarly to making a rice crispy treat and I also make my own caramel to top them with.

WHAT YOU NEED

1) Popcorn (plain, air popped)- 4 cups (popped)

2) Marshmallows- 1 cup

3) Granulated sugar-1 cip

4) Heavy cream/evaporated milk- 1/3 cup

5) Salt (preferably large crystals)

6) Spices- I used cinnamon, nutmeg and pumpkin spice ( why not)

6.5) PatienceWHAT TO DO

1) Pop popcorn and set aside.

Air popped popcorn

2) Dissolve sugar in approximately 1/2 cup water and bring to a boil in a saucepan then add milk/cream and allow to boil for a few more mintes. – It won’t be as dark or as thick when you first make it. It needs time to cool.
Note : My caramel measurements were fairly arbitrary as I was experimenting, however you may vary your measurements depending on how thick or how runny you want your caramel. You can also just melt down caramel candy 🙂

Evaporated milk and granulated sugar

Bring sugar to a boil

Completed caramel

3) Melt Marshmallows in microwave in 15 second intervals until soft and goopy.

Marshmallows, salt and spices

4) Combine marshmallow, popcorn and spices together.

Mixture of ingredients

5) Let the mixture sit for approximately 30 minutes. (Trust me it saves you a few grey hairs) The marshmallow begins to set up a but and the mixture is way easier to handle cimparted with when it’s very warm and the marshmallow is stringy and sticks to everything.

6) Mold into balls the size you desire and let firm up for a few hours (at least 2) in the fridge.

Popcorn balls
7) Once firm, take caramel mixture and Drizzle over the balls. Sprinkle with a small amount of salt. Let firm up overnight.

Finished product

These were moorish. This recipe made eight balls approximately 3 inches diameter. Popcorn is extremely inexpensive and the remainder of ingredients are likely found in your cupboard making this an affordable treat for a movie night or other get together. The caramel combined with salt creates a complex flavour that foodies will love but is so tasty that everyone else will adore.